BALL HALL
OFFERING
SPRING TRAINING
INDOORS TO YOUNGSTERS
FREE CLINICS
AT DCVI FRIDAY NIGHTS

St. Marys – As another token of thanks to the community for their ongoing support, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum is offering a series of free winter indoor baseball clinics for area boys and girls as they ready themselves for the upcoming ball season. Beginners are welcome, as the players are grouped by age/skill level..

The clinics will run on Friday nights at DCVI's gymnasiums, beginning on Friday, March 12th through Friday April 30th, excluding March 19th, April 9th and April 23rd with players aged 6-10 from 6:00-7:30PM, and players aged 11-16 from 7:30-9:00PM. Some adjustments to the split may be made based on actual registrations.

While there is no charge to participate, players MUST pre-register by contacting the Hall of Fame, either by dropping in the administrative office at 140 Queen St. E., or by calling 284-1838, or by emailing baseball@baseballhalloffame.ca.

Due to the popularity of the clinics over the past three years, the Hall needs volunteers to help ensure safety and order - it is helpful but not necessary to be knowledgeable in baseball. If enough volunteers are not recruited to assist in a ratio that is safe for all, some children may have to be turned away. Older teens (looking for volunteer hours???) and adults are asked to contact the Hall a.s.a.p if they can help on some or all of the Friday nights.

"The clinics are just another way of trying to repay the community for their ongoing support," said Hall president and CEO Tom Valcke. "But last year we wound up with more than 150 participants, and therefore we need more adult supervision - not necessarily baseball experts, just supervisors. There is an old saying that goes 'Tell me and I'll forget; Show me and I'll remember; Involve me and I'll understand.' This is the way our clinics operate. The instructors briefly explain and demonstrate whatever skill we're working on, and then we get the kids moving - that's why they are there. The adult assistance we are seeking are simply people who can watch over the various stations to ensure safety, order and fair participation."

The head instructors for the clinic will be Tom Valcke, who was an assistant coach with Canada's National Team last summer and has taught children in more than a dozen countries around the world, and St. Marys native Wayne Forman, a former professional player. Participants are asked to bring their own gloves and bats, if they own them. Please be sure their names are on all equipment ahead of time. They should bring indoor running shoes and wear comfortable clothing.

PLEASE NOTE:

2004 SUMMER CAMPS for Boys & Girls

* Week-long camps (drop off Sunday, pick-up Saturday), including accommodation & meals

* Focus on baseball FUNdamentals, swimming, soccer & tennis, trip to SkyDome

* Social Justice and Cultural Awareness programs incorporated

* Baseball Celebrities to take part

Mark your calendar with these key dates in 2004:

February 26 – Announcement of 2004 inductees

May 1 – Museum opens

June 25 – 8th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic

June 26 – 2004 Induction Ceremony

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame – 19 February 2004

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum
P.O. Box 1838 (140 Queen St. E.)
St. Marys, ON, Canada, N4X 1C2
Tel: (519) 284-1838
Toll Free: 1-877-250-BALL
Fax: (519) 284-1234
Email: baseball@baseballhalloffame.ca
Website: www.baseballhalloffame.ca

Archives | About CBN | Canadian Born Players
Contact Us | Extra Innings | Favourite Links
Home | Kids | Montreal Expos | News from St. Marys |
Photo Gallery | Toronto Blue Jays | Weather